Saturday, August 21, 2010

Solar Activity Post 3 of 3

The post contains 4 consecutive frames.  The second frame displays a large surface flare up - almost like a spray - at the top of the pic.  Watching the frames in motion, it looks like a big explosion.

Equipment Summary:
  1. Meade Coronado Personal Solar Telescope (PST)
  2. Orion Min-EQ Tabletop Equatorial Telescope Mount
  3. Orion StarShoot Planetary Imager
  4. PHD Planetary Software - used to control camera, takes pics, and later to process the pics (e.g. stack and adjust color/clarity)
Date/Time:  8/21/10  10:00am
Location:  Backyard - Pittsburgh, PA
Seeing:  Mostly sunny, some cloudy periods
Weather:  Warm, Humid
Exposure:  10 ms x 50 images

Experience:  Very good

Notes:
  1. This was my first time out using the Coronado PST and this mount.  I did not use any barlows, but next time I will.
Lessons Learned:
  1. Sit in a chair for comfort.  I have a back ache from bending and kneeling.
  2. Also, I'll wait for a completely sunny morning so I have less down time.

Next Time:
  1. TBD

Enjoy!


Frame 42 - All's quiet on the sun ... relatively speaking.


Frame 43 - Look at the spray of gas over the entire top.


Frame 44 - Calming down, still a few sparks.


Frame 45 - Pretty much back to normal.

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